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The Role of The Crown Prosecution Service

The Crown Prosecution Service is the government department responsible for prosecuting criminal cases investigated by the police in England and Wales.

As the principal prosecuting authority in England and Wales, we are responsible for:

  • advising the police on cases for possible prosecution
  • reviewing cases submitted by the police
  • determining any charges in more serious or complex cases
  • preparing cases for court
  • presenting cases at court

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Home » News Centre » Press Releases » CPS scoops a hat-trick for training award

CPS scoops a hat-trick for training award

21/06/2006

The Crown Prosecution Service's Legal Trainee Scheme has been judged 'Best Recruiter & Trainer - In-house & Public Sector', for the third consecutive year.

Jointly sponsored by online magazine Law Careers.Net (LCN) and the Trainee Solicitors' Group, the awards honour the best in UK legal training and recruitment.

Winners are nominated by the trainees themselves and the CPS beat competition from major legal trainers including DAS Legal Services, Surrey County Council and the Government Legal Service. Over 2500 trainees took part in the survey. Reasons given for the nominations included local recruitment, the CPS commitment to equal opportunities, flexible working patterns and variety of work.

Andrea Reynolds, a trainee from Suffolk said:

"Despite being in such a large organisation, and the only trainee in Suffolk, the system put in place a sense of identity and security. I was given a very experienced supervisor and mentor and was able to meet and stay in touch with other trainees from around the country."

Lesley Williams, CPS Training Principal said:

"As this award is voted for by trainees themselves it really means something - it's our own trainees telling us what they think of us and to win three times in a row is a fantastic achievement for the CPS and for everyone involved with the Legal Trainee Scheme. Special mention must be made for the trainees' local supervisors - prosecutors who volunteer to train and support people through to qualification. Without them there could be no trainee scheme."

This year, following the success of the internal trainee scheme which has been running in its present format since 2001, the CPS moved into the external market and has recruited 28 law school graduates who will start training in October.

  1. For further information or pictures, contact CPS Press Office on 020 7710 6088.
  2. The LawCareers.Net/Trainee Solicitors' Group Training and Recruitment Awards were held at Stationers Hall London, on 6 June and the event was attended by guests from over 80 law firms. www.lawcareers.net
  3. As at 6 June 2006, the CPS had 10 pupils and 31 trainee solicitors, with a further 7 pupils and 21 trainee solicitors due to start training in October 2006.
  4. The CPS launched its Law Scholarship scheme in 2003. It affords employees the chance to study for legal qualifications ranging from A level to Legal Trainee Solicitor Practice Course/Bar Vocational Course. The Legal Trainee scheme now forms the final part in this training route. More information on careers with the CPS is available at on this website - see Careers in the CPS.